Content

Cabinet:

(1)         
approved for inclusion in Local Plan Part 2
(Proposed Submission Document) the sites identified in Appendix 1
to the report;

(2)         
delegated authority to finalise Local Plan Part 2
(Proposed Submission Document) ahead of consultation, to the
Corporate Director – Regeneration, Planning & Delivery in
consultation with the Portfolio Lead Member for Housing and
Regeneration;

(3)         
delegated authority to publish Local Plan Part 2
(Proposed Submission Document) for statutory consultation to the
Corporate Director – Regeneration, Planning & Delivery in
consultation with the Portfolio Lead Member for Housing and
Regeneration;

(4)         
delegated authority to the Corporate Director
– Regeneration, Planning & Delivery in consultation with
the Portfolio Lead Member for Housing and Regeneration to submit
Local Plan Part 2 to the Secretary of State for independent
Examination in Public;

(5)         
redesignated the Highams
Park Planning Group as a Neighbourhood Forum in accordance with the
Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as
amended).
 

Options & Alternatives Considered

It is a statutory
requirement for all Local Planning Authorities to
prepare a Local Plan and ensure that it is up to date. There are no
alternatives.

The absence of an up to date Local Plan would leave
the Council in a weaker position in securing high quality inclusive
growth in the most suitable locations, and defending planning
decisions at appeal. It would also leave the Council at risk of
Government intervention in decision making and undesirable ad-hoc
applications for development that would be more difficult to
manage.

The Council should aim to designate a neighbourhood
forum applied for but this is discretionary. If refused, a
statement setting out the decision and the reasons must be
provided. It is considered that the Highams Park Planning Group should be redesignated
as a Neighbourhood Forum for the reasons given above.